wifi and headaches

[Crush]

I have had a lot of headaches recently and sit relatively near a wifi access point.

Was thinking of going back to ethernet for a few days to see if it is the access point. Anyone else got doubts?

[Syzygy]

There's a feature in today's Daily Mail [dailymail.co.uk] newspaper (UK) reporting on exactly this. The article explores the health problems faced by one particular individual who appears to suffer from what is termed 'electrosensitivity'. The person in question cites wifi as having the worst effect on her, closely followed by mobile and cordless phones.

A website created to draw attention to the condition is quoted in the article: www.electrosensitivity.org.uk

Syzygy

[mack]

Well if you believe the wifi to be the problem then reverting back to ethernet to test may be a good idea. At least that way you can be fairly certain in you own mind if it is the wifi thats causing your headaches.

There really just isn't enough evidence to say yes or no, thats why they are settign up a review into any possible health risks. A bit like mobile phone radiation, there is no direct health link, but there has been no way of rulling ot a health link either.

Mack.

[benevolent001]

sorry i read title as "wife and headaches" and came in , my mistake keep going plz

[engine]

benevolent001 LOL

RF radiation (non-ionising) of sufficient strength is dangerous. For example, the safety mechanism (and mesh filter) on your microwave oven stops you from doing severe damage before you would know about a headache! In simple terms, it heats the tissue of the body.

The power output from a WiFi device (mobile phones, etc.) is relatively low. However, there is every reason to assume that some folks would be less or more sensitive to low power RF radiation. In addition, the physical circumstances of the location of the RF radiation can make a difference. For example, it's worth mentioning that any level of RF radiation can be focused. Look, for example, at a satellite receiving antenna. The incoming signal is focused onto the LNB. Metal objects in the room you are in will have a similar effect and will bounce the signal from object to object and may, in effect, focus the radiation to make hot-spots. These hot-spots can make a big difference to the RF field strength, and therby the RF you absorb.

Again, the field strength is likely to be, relatively, very low and will not cook you like a microwave oven.

Do you get headaches using your mobile phone for extended periods?

[g1smd]

Many consumer devices output 100 mW or more at 2.4 GHz.

While being a very low amount, focusing effects and cumulative effects from long-term exposure need to be investigated.

[Jane_Doe]

The cable company sales person thinks I'm nuts because of the extra expense, but personally I'm paying for two cable connection for the upstairs and downstairs PCs instead of using a wireless router. I have enough doubts that for me it is worth the extra expense.

[edited by: Jane_Doe at 9:17 pm (utc) on April 29, 2007]

[vincevincevince]

Another thing to remember is that there can be multiple sources. On my desk at this moment there are two cordless DECT phones and one Wifi router, making three times the signal. A modern office can easily have many times that number of wireless devices.